Greetings! Here's the next ride announcement, but please read in full below if you haven't attended before. Bear Creek - Rainbow Trail - Columbine Loop * Date: Monday August 17, 2015 * Meeting time / place: meet at 8am, caddy-corner from Salida Bike Company, Riverside Park diagonal parking, across from The Fritz. We will leave before 8:15am. * Drive/carpool? Yes - drive to Bear Creek Rd (CR-101) cattle guard * Aerobic rating: High - tough climb up Bear Creek Road, some intense shorter climbs on Rainbow Trail * Technical rating: Moderate * Approx. Miles: 8 * Approx. Elevation lowest/highest points (ft): 7890 / 9000 * Approx. Elevation total gain/loss (ft): 1750 / 1750 * Description: We start with a granny gear grind up Bear Creek Road to where it ends at the Rainbow Trail trailhead. After a short break, we head out on one of the nicer stretches of the Rainbow Trail, and then we enjoy a wonderful downhill dash down the Columbine trail and back to the vehicle. * Planning to attend? Please contact Andrew Koransky, andrew@koransky.com <mailto:andrew@koransky.com> , 719-207-1562 just so I have an idea of count / who to expect. Monday Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride - Description / Requirements We have a wide variety of rides in this valley. so while some rides will leave from that parking area, the goal is to get out and ride different areas, so driving/carpools will often be required. Technical difficulty, aerobic difficulty, distance, and duration will be announced and change each week. Some rides will have extended hike-a-bikes for mere mortals such as myself. I will do my best to provide adequate information each week about these rides so you can make an informed choice about the ride. I will take votes / suggestions for rides. show up and let me know! Rides will generally meet Monday mornings at 8am caddy corner from Salida Bike Company at the diagonal parking spaces at Riverside park across from The Fritz. We might leave early for longer drives/rides, so please pay close attention to the announcements. The goal is to be back in town by noon, and we may occasionally do lunch afterwards at one of the local eateries if there is enough interest/time. Here are few guidelines so you know what to expect: 1. About me: I consider myself a non-competitive intermediate rider. Well, I guess you could say I curse my bike occasionally ("It has to be the bike's fault, not mine right?") and only compete against myself! I am happy to just be outside and with good company. I am NOT as talented as many of the hard core MTB enthusiasts in the area. 2. The primary goal is to have fun and enjoy each other's company, however, I would encourage you to know your riding ability, and if necessary, test yourself before joining the group: Can you ride the full length of Little Rainbow without breaks? Can you ride North Backbone with a few breaks to catch your breath, and maybe having to walk a few technical sections? If we announce a longer ride, is that a distance you feel comfortable completing? These should be benchmarks that you have the skills to ENJOY the ride. 3. We will do as much as we can to ensure we don't drop anyone, taking breaks in hopes that all can catch up, but I unfortunately cannot guarantee a "no-drop" ride. So please see check your riding ability by re-reading the previous note above. Make sure you have working equipment, can do basic repairs (carry extra tubes, patches, pump, chain tool, etc.), feel confident that you can complete the ride chosen, and can self-support yourself with enough water, food/energy bars, and parts to complete the ride alone if necessary. I hope to lead rides into October, and kick off again late May next year. Alternate leaders needed late August / early September. Otherwise, we'll just take a short break during that time. Please call me if you have any questions / concerns at 719-207-1562. PS I highly recommend purchasing a CORSAR card (http://colorado.gov/sar) which helps reimburse search and rescue teams within the state. Anyone who purchases a current hunting/fishing license, or boat, snowmobile, ATV registration already contributes to the fund. Take care... Andrew Koransky andrew@koransky.com